This position functions in an advanced capacity the full-performance level of a Surgical Technician (ST), which is a member of the surgical team, and provides assistance to the surgeon, and other team members during surgical procedures. The advanced Surgical Technician participates with the surgical team members in planning, and implementing complex procedures under the continuing guidance of the surgical team.

Duties

The operating room technician is responsible for being on-call/stand-by for emergency procedures 24 hours a day as assigned. The advanced Surgical Technician performs the following major duties: Works with the surgeon, anesthesiologist or anesthetist, and registered nurse as a member of the direct patient care team, before, during, and following surgical intervention, and performs, and is responsible for the following knowledge of, and adherence to current hospital, and departmental policies, and procedures. Responsible for teaching, mentoring, and orientation of other staff, and students. Independently reviews future surgery schedules daily to determine/arrange availability of specialized instruments, equipment, and implants. Insures completeness, and accuracy of needed equipment, instruments, and supplies. Contacts company representatives to obtain critical supplies. Works with Nurse Manage to learn instrument purchasing process. Assumes accountability to rotate through all surgical specialties to maintain current knowledge of procedures, ever-changing techniques, and highly technical instrumentation. Shares expertise with other staff members. Independently scrubs for complex, extensive, specialized procedures in all surgical service specialties, i.e.: Aortic Aneurysms, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Video Assisted Thoracoscopies, Radical Prostatectomies, Total Joint Replacements, Laryngectomies, Laser Assisted Posterior Vitrectomies, and Urology Lithotripsy procedures. Independently scrub for Robotic (Davinci) Assisted surgery. Scrub Person 60% Responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures such as, but not limited to thoracic , major vascular, microsurgery, total joint replacement, and robotic surgery. Anticipating needs of the surgeons (correct instruments, suture, implants) at different stages of the surgical procedure by maintaining a high level of concentration for extended periods of time. Sets up sterile field with all required items for each procedure such as air-powered equipment, fiber optic equipment, laparoscopic equipment, microscopes lasers, arthroscopy equipment, urologic equipment, recording devices, and other operating room supplies. Proper assembly, and testing of delicate instruments to insure optimal functioning. Providing direct assistance to the surgeon (site exposure, hemostasis). Sharing with the circulating nurse the responsibility for correct sponge, needle, and instrument counts pre, intra, and post operatively. Independently connects drains, and tubing's. Shares responsibility with anesthesia/circulating nurse for preparing, and identifying fluids, and drugs for intraoperative use. Independently prepares, and applies sterile dressings following procedure. Assists the team members with care of patient, i.e. positioning, prepping, and obtaining supplies. In conjunction with the surgical team participate in "Time Out and Fire Risk Assessment" Maintains Equipment and Work Area 20% Independently implements infection control standards as required in the current hospital, and specific department infection control policies. Specifically includes the application of sterile technique at all times while caring for patients. Personal integrity and "Surgical Conscience" are integrated in every aspect of professional behavior. Accountable for taking emergency surgery calls on a rotating basis. Provides Guidance/Oversee 10% Provides guidance, and support to Nursing Assistants, and other Surgical Technicians. Oversees volunteers, aides, non-surgical team members, students, and other personnel. Provides guidance, and support to professional, and technical students of an approved surgical technology program. Other Duties 10% Assist surgical team in Quality Management activities. Updates personal knowledge regarding current trends in surgical technology through continuing education. Assists in the creation, and updating of surgical preference cards including regular review to ensure efficiency, and reduce waste. Surgical scrub rotation across all surgical specialties, including, but not limited to General Surgery, Orthopedics, Vascular, ENT, Plastics Podiatry, Ophthalmology, etc. Work Schedule: Required to assume on-call coverage, rotating shifts Monday-Friday, Weekends, and Holidays Telework: Not Available Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Surgical Technician)/PD25377A Critical Skills Incentive (CSI)/Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/02/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of independently scrubs for complex, extensive, specialized procedures in all surgical service specialties, example aortic aneurysms, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, video assisted thoracoscopies, radical prostatectomies, total joint replacements, laryngectomies, laser assisted posterior vitrectomies, and urology lithotripsy procedures. Knowledge of sterile technique, must include sterilizer operations, and tests to determine the effectiveness of sterilization, packaging storage, and shelf life. Must possess knowledge of highly technical medical instruments, human anatomy, physiology, and aseptic technique to prepare, and protect the sterile field during surgery. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-7 level. 1 full year of graduate education or superior academic education. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-7 level. Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)Infection ControlSpecimen CollectionTechnical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Duties regularly require providing manual assistance in lifting and positioning patients, most of which are stages of unconsciousness. There are extensive periods of regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, reaching, and prolonged stretching to provide easy accessibility of instruments and supplies for the surgeon. Incumbent must be dexterous in passing instruments to surgeons without compromising principles of aseptic technique and in a manner requiring little or no effort from the surgeon. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Allysa Getman
• Phone: 680-322-5685
• Email: [email protected]